The Difficulty of Prayer!

The Difficulty of Prayer!

In the Gospels we learn that Jesus prayed often and normally alone, many times late at night or early in the morning. He also taught us about how to pray; the pattern of prayer, the LORD’s (Our Father) Prayer, seeking GOD’s Kingdom and Righteousness; praying to the Father in His Name; asking Him directly; praying until we get the answer. Peter, James, John and Paul all taught on prayer; pray without ceasing; pray in faith, praying fervently, praying in the Spirit; Peter was praying and fasting when GOD gave him a revelation and a call to go to the Gentiles, Paul was obviously praying on his trip to Rome and the ship was caught in a storm for two weeks, the Believers were praying when Peter was imprisoned to be executed by Herod. We are called to pray for GOD’s will, for the Church, for the lost, for our government and for our enemies.

But, praying is not always easy! Getting up early, staying up late, finding time during the day, finding a private place, seeking and waiting, physical comfort, hunger or thirst, distracted thinking, sleepy, not hearing from GOD, being awaken in the night by GOD. All of these and more can make praying difficult and easy to skip or ignore.

Most Believers say a quick prayer in the morning or at bedtime, over a meal or when asked. We pray for blessings for our self, our family and friends, our job, our Church, our ministry, for HELP! But, most of us do not kneel or bow or lay face down before GOD in humility and fear. Most of us do not wait as quietly as possible before GOD waiting for Him to speak to us for more than five minutes. Most of us do not intercede for the lost and for our government and over world affairs. Most of us do not even start the day asking for direction and guidance according to GOD’s will.

But, praying is a discipline that we must exercise in our life! This is an area where I at times struggle and at times look forward to. But, I have learned that it is a discipline I cannot ignore, especially when the LORD is calling me to pray. It could not have always been easy for JESUS, as the Son of Man He had physical requirements and needs. But, to stay emotionally and Spiritually whole He had to spend time in the presence of the Father and the Spirit and so do we.

Praying is a discipline because like fasting our body resists the requirements of time and comfort that must be given up to pray earnestly and effectively. Praying is a discipline because we must count the cost sometimes we must pray a long time to get the answer and during that time we must overcome fear and discouragement. Praying is a discipline because sometimes all we hear is no or silence, which is just the same to us. Praying is a discipline because to pray the will of GOD we must have the mind of Christ and that comes from reading and praying over the Bible, and from waiting to hear from the Spirit of the LORD.

Praying is a discipline of which we must count the cost because a lazy ineffective pray life will cost us knowing the will of GOD, it will cost us the peace that passes all understanding in the midst of the trials, tests and disciplines of the Father, it will cost us peace, grace and strength during times of persecution, it could cost us our life and our salvation.